Music-player-tube coupling.



R. ArGALLYr MUSIC PLAYER TUBE COUPLING. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 14. 1911.

-1,259,846. I Patented Mar. 19, 191&

UNITED srarus PATENT oriucn. M

ROBERT A. GALLY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOB. TO TIE-IE BALD'WIN COMPANY, OF

CINCINNATI, OHIO.

MUSIC-PLAYER-TUBE COUPLING.

Application filed August 14, 1917.

To all EU/wilt it may concern Be it known that I, Rosana A, GALLY, a citizen of the United States, and residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Music-Player-Tube Couplings, 01' which the following is a specilication.

In the prior art of coupling the set of tubes leading from a tracker bar above a set of manual keys to a set of pneumatic playing devices below the keys, two general methods have been employed, one being the leading of the tubes around each end of the keyboard, and the other to lead each tube between two of the keys conveniently near its desired connection below the keys. Velin Patent #731,089, June 16, 1903, has a particular detail of coupling means for around the keys type, and this applic nt in his prior Patent #l,172,590, Feb. 22, 1916, shows a better form of such'a coupling, while in the present application this applicant improves on the between the key type w 1lCl1 was pioneered by M. Gully Patent #329,304, Cctober 27, 1885, the present invention securing the shorter tubes of that method yet avoiding the disconnection of individual tubes as in the M. Gally structure and in manufactured instruments of that general type of coupling as made to this day, the present invention securing a single unitary coupling and uncoupling of the entire series oi tubes by a very quick and simple means and control and has the very desirable detail at the coupling sleeves coupling into and out of opposed holes, as was mentioned in applicants said Patent #1,172,590, at the close of its specification; but not then specifically claimed because that patent had its specific claims on the opposed nipple type, although having a broad claim 13 on both opposed nipple and opposed hole types of coupling. Any form of pneumatic playing devices may be used, the heel lever type now shown not being a special feature of the present invention, but'only shown as an example of one form, such special form being the subject of applicants separate application #184,355, filed August 3, 1917.

In the drawings Figure 1 shows a grand piano case and key board with a pneumatic player action below the key board, which sub-position player may be of any desired type, and these couplings may also be used Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

Serial No. 186,227.

with an upri ht piano or any other keyboard musical instrument where itis desired to lead small tubes from above to underneath the keys; Fig. 2 is a detailed section of the coupling rails when coupled, and Fig. 3 a similar View of the coupling parts uncoupled, and Fig. l a section View of a part of the coupling rails and their guide pins, Fig. 5 being a View of the handle and stop when the handle is thrown rearward and un couples the tube connections.

A set of manual keys 1 is shown as mounted on a keyframe 2 having a middle or balance rail 3. Attached to or adjacent to the balance rail 3 is an upper tube coupling rail 41 which is attached to the keyframe 2, most conveniently to the balance rail 3, and the coupling rail is made to clear the top face of the keyboard 5 on which the keyi'rame is laid, and on which it is usual to slide the said keyframe in and out of the case, especially in grand pianos.

in the top of this upper coupling rail 4- are inserted nipples 6 which extend up a short distance above the top faces of the keys 1, each said nipple standing between two of the adjacent keys, the said keys being coved out to gain room for the said nipples 6. At the top of each nipple 6 is attached a continuing tube 7, usually of rubber for the convenience of leading said tubes 7 to the nipples 8 of a tracker bar 9 in suitable convenient position above tie keys 1 for the setting therewith of the usual spindles 10 and take-up spool 11 for winding the pe"- torated music sheet which controls the apertures of the tracker 9 to cause the playing of the instrument by he player action beneath the keys to which the tubes 7 and nipples 6 lead, as described as follows:

A lower coupling rail 12 is positioned directly below and adjacent to the upper cou pling rail 1, and nipples 13 are tastened in and extended downward from the lower rail 12 by flexible tubes 1 1 to any suitable pneumatic playing action, only one chest 15 0t such an action being shown. The upper ends of the nipples 13 extended about to the upper face of the lower rail 12, and these nipples 13 are held in the rail 12 in a simple and safe manner by insertion in the rubber tubes, sleeves or coupling members 16, which sleeves 16 are held fast in holes of a suitable size in the rail 12 in which holes these rubber coupling sleeves 16 are inserted together with the nipples 13 already set in the sleeves, the result being a tight grip of the nipples l3 and sleeves 16 together and of these sleeves 16 in the holes of the rail 12. Instead of this particular means of insert ing and gripping these nipples and sleeves, the nipples 13 could be set in the lower part only of arail like 12, and the sleeves set into connecting holes in the upper part of such a modified rail, but when held in the grip manner now shown the nipples 13 and sleeves 14: are absolutely joined with no chance of any leakage of any joints between them or between them and the rail.

The upper ends of the sleeves 16 extend above the upper face of the rail 12 and when the rail 12 is thrown up into coupled position to the rail 4:, these sleeves 16 enter the holes 17 in the rail 4i,the entry part 18 of each hole 17 being tapered or countersunk as at 18 so that the sleeves 16 may have easy entry and guidance into the hole 17. While the sleeves 16 could be made to fit air tight inside the holes 17, and thus connect these sleeves 17 and their nipples 13, and flexible tubes let to the player action chest 15, with the nipples 6 and tubes 7 to the nipples 8 of the tracker bar 9, it is more safe against leakage at the coupling joints to have the sleeves 16 of such a length and inner diameter, and the nipples 6 extended down into the holes 17 of the upper rail 1, to a distance that the sleeves 16 make a direct snu sliding joint over the nipples 6, being beveled at their lower ends to aid the start of the sleeves 16 over the nipples 6.

The holes 17 are preferably made of an inner diameter a little greater than the outer diameter of the sleeves 16 when said sleeves 16 are not expanded by the nipples 6, and the nipples 6 are preferably terminated a short'distance in the hole 17 from the inner end of the taper or countersunk 18 of that hole 17. Thus when the lower rail 12 is moved up toward the upper rail -11, the sleeves 16 have a first easy entry to the countersunk 18, and then :r'ollow into the next immediate part of the holes 17, and being then centrally guided to the lower end of the nipples 6, are easily continued in their sliding movement on the said nipples 6 to complete the desired coupling of the various s eeves 16 and nipples 6 and their several connected tubes 7 and 1-1 from the tracker bar 9 to the player action chest 15.

The relative dimensions of the inner diameter of a sleeve 16 and the outer diameter of a nipple 6, and the inner diameter of a hole 17, and the outer diameter of the sleeve 16, may all be such that as a sleeve 16 attains its coupled position on the nipple the outside of the sleeve 16 and the inside of the hole 17 will be sealed together as well as the inside of the sleeve 16 to the outside of the I nipple 6, the sleeve 16 being then expanded to such sealing fit to the inside of the hole 17 by the sliding of the said sleeve 16 on to the nipple 6, said nipple 6 snugly fitting into the said sleeve 16, although the hole 17 may be of a diameter slightly larger than the sleeves 16 when expanded by the nipples 6, in such case the holes 17 acting only as guides for the sleeves 16 to join the nipples 6, but not making a second seal between the outside of the sleeves 16 and the outside of the holes 17. This latter construction is more desirable when there is a great number of tubes to be connected at once, as the 88 notes of a full scale piano, as the double seal would then cause an excessive friction to be overcome.

To assist the entry of the several sleeves 16 to the corresponding holes 17, guide means are employed as pins 19 in one of the two rails "1 or 12, and a guide hole 20 oppositely positioned in the other rail. It is preferable that such a guide pin be extended farther from the rail in which it is fixed than is the amount of extension of the sleeves 16 from their rail, so that the guide pins 19 will enter'the holes 20 and set the true opposite positions of the sleeves 16 and holes 17 before the sleeves 16 enter the holes 17 or their countersinks.

An extension of the guide pin 19 is made below the lower rail 12, or a separate pinv 21 or other guide means is fixed with the movable rail 12 and engages with a lower guide 22 fastened to a fixed part of the apparatus, thus securing the movable rail 12 against getting out of approximate relative position to the upper and relatively fixed rail 4 when the lower rail 4 is dropped to uncouple the tube connections.

The lower guide 22 may have the lower guide pin 21 extended in a round guide hole in said guide 22 if it is not desired to shift the keyframe 2 and 3 lengthwise of the set of keys 1 mounted on the said frame, which shifting is often desired for the so called piano pedal or uni corde shift of the hammers and keys. To allow of such shifting it is necessarv to make slots in the guides 22, such slots extended in the said direction of the said shifting movements of the key parts.

To insure an easy entry of the coupling pins 19 and sleeves 16 even though the key frame 2 and had not been replaced to its exact position front and rear of the piano keyboard 5, it is convenient to have the holes or slot of the lower guides 22 sufliciently free. in the said direction to allow of a slight amount of variation in such setting of the keyframe 2, 3, this being aided by front and rear guides 23 and- 24 positioned slightly free from the front and rear edges of the movable lower coupling rail 12, or the front of the said rail 12 may be soguided by the metal stiffener 25, or when connecting arms 26 are conveniently fastened to the front of parts for the front edge of the 1a such stiffener 25, or other blocls connecting arms are fastened to the said stiiiener L5 they may act as th l F or control of this or any other tube coupling below the keys of a'musical instrument it is convenient to have a handle as 27 above the keys 1 and connection from such handle to the movable lower coupling parts, as the rail 12 hereof. Such connections are now shown of a very simple form, the handle 2? having its upper part positioned beyond one end of the keyboard 2, and an extension of the said handle passed down through the keyboard 5, clear of the keytranie 2, 3, and inside of the case 28. The lower extension of the handle 27 is attached to a rock shaft 29 revolubly mounted in bearings 30 fixed to the keyboard 5 or other fixed part of the apparatus. Arms 31 are extended iron: the said rock shaft 29 at two or more suitable positions lengthwise ot the said rock shaft 29 and the movable coup ail 12, and slots 32 in said arms 31 4 pins 33 fixed in the arms 26 or other pairs attached to the said movable rail 12 and movable with the said rail 12.

l /hen the handle 27 is pulled forward the rock shaft 29 is revolved to that extent and the arms 31 are thrown upward, thus lifting the lower rail 12 until the guide pins 19 enter the guide holes 20 and sleeves 16 next enter the holes 17 and slide on the nipples 6,. thus completing the coupling oi all the individual air connections 6, 7, 8, and 16 and 14, from the tracker 9 to the pneumatic chest 15.

lvhen the handle 27 is hrown rearward when'said handle is in couuling o, thus locking all the coupling parts to coupled positions. To insure the shows i and guide pins 19 remaining be ow the level or" the upper face of the keyboard 5 '4.

or out of the case, a stop can be prev 7, to set in to the case 28 111st to the front of the hancle 27 when sa1d handle is thrown arward, as in liigs. -l and 5, thus locking l. the couplings 1n uncoupled position. By .aking that part of the handle 27 which enthe stop 8%, of a suitable 'hickness i 1 t and rear, the one hole in the case 28 will swer for the ins rtion of the stop 34: er coupled or uncoupled position of the coupling parts; as may be seen by the two positions of the handle 27 in Fig. a, the full lines oi he handle 3% showing the uncouplec position of said handle 3d, and the dotted lines of the handle 3a showing the coupled position of the said handle 34., the position of the handle 27 with the stop 3% when for uncoupled position, being shown. in Fig.

Various inodincations may be made in applying the invention, yet be subject to, what i claim as my invention i. i..- set of manual keys; air tubes extended through said set of keys and from above the said keys to below the said keys; separable coupling to each individual in tube and adjacent the level of the said said individual couplings to couple or uncouple all the said individual couplings at one movement for each said compound coupling or uncoupling.

2. Iilanual keys; air tubes extended between the said keys from above the said keys to below the said keys; a separable ling to each individual said said tube adjacent the level of the said keys; and unitary means combined with all the said individual couplings to couple or uncouple all the said individual couplings at one movement for each said compound coupling or uncoupling.

lilanual keys; air tubes extended be tween the said keys from above the said keys to below the said keys; a separable coupling to each individual said tube, immediately below the level of the said keys; and unitary nieaus combined with all the said individual couplings to couple or uncougle all the said individual couplings at one movement for each said compound coupling or uncoupling.

l. s. set of manual keys; air tubes extended from above the said keys to below the sail keys at positions within the outer zensions of the said set of keys; a separable coupling to each individual said tube and adjacent the level of the said keys; and unitay means combined with all the said indiv dual couplings to couple or uncouple all the said individual couplings at one n'ioveinent for each said compound coupling or uncoupling.

5. A set of manual keys and a key'frame therewith; air tubes extended from above said keys to below the said keys at positions within the outer dimensions of the said set oi keys; an individual coupling element with each said air tube, all the said coupling elements aliixed with the said keyframe; and another individual coupling element with each said air tube and each movable to and from coupling with llS corresponding first named cmipling element; and a unitary movable means all the said movable cou pling GlOlllQilLS U0lTil3lIlCl with the said unitary movable means to be moved as one unit when coupling and uncoupling the said couplings.

6. A set oil manual keys and a lreyframe therewith; air tubes extended from above the said. keys to b low the said keys, and divided in two divisions as to their lengths at a level appro; 'mately that of the said keyframe and a retaining member combined with the said heyframe; the ends of the divisions of the said tubes that are above and adjacent the said keys all retained in said retaining member; and a movable member in'nnediately below the said retaining member; all the ends of the divisions of the said tubes that are below and adjacent to the said movable member connected to the said movable member; the said movable member adapted to couple and uncouple at one time, all the said air tubes at their said divisions.

7. Manual keys and a key frame therewith; air tubes above said keys and air tubes below said keys, and two coupling elements to each corresponding pair of tubes; a retaining member fixed with the said key "frame; one of each of each pair oi said coupling elements fixed with the said a unitary movable member immediately below the said retaining member; the other one of each said pair of coupling elements fixed with the said unitary movable member; and guide means fixed with and extending from one of the said members into the other said member.

8. Manual keys and a keyframe therewith; a member combined with said hey frame and extended in the direction of the succession of the said keys; several vertical holes in the sail fixed member; and of greater diam eter at their lower parts than at their upper parts; a nipple fixed in the upper part of each said hole and extended downward into the lower part of the said hole but not all the way to the lower exit of the said hole; a movable member 'mmediately below the said fixed number, the said movable member having a number of coupling sleeves, each said sleeve extended upward from the said movable member and into the lower part of the corresponding hole of the said fixed member and outside of and engaging the extended part of the said nipple.

9. An air coupling device having a fixed unitary member and a movable unitary member adjacent the fixed member; several holes in one of the said members, the axis of the said holes disposed toward the other said member and the diameter of the part ot each said hole nearest the other said member larger than the part of said hole farthest from said member; a nipple fixed in the part of the said hole having the smaller diameter and extended into the part oi? the said hole having the larger diameter but only part of the way to the larger diameter exit of the said hole; the second said member having a plurality of coupling sleeves, each said sleeve extended outward from the said second member toward the first named member and into the larger diameter part of the corresponding hole of the first said member and over and engaging the extended part of the said nipple.

10. An air coupling device having two opposed unitary members adapted to be moved to and from each other; several holes in one of the said menbcrs, the axis of the said holes disposed toward the other said member and the diameter of the part of each said hole nearest the other said member larger than the part of the said hole farthest from the said member; a nipple fixed. in the part of the said hole having the smaller diameter and extended into the part of the said hole having the larger diameter but only part of the way to the larger diameter exit of the said hole; the second said member having a plurality of coupling sleeves, each said sleeve extended outward from the said second member toward the first named member and into the larger diameter part of the coirres xmding hole of the first said member and over and engaging the extended part of the said nipple.

11. An air coupling comprising a member having a cylindrical hole therein, and an orifice to the said hole, the part of the said hole nearer its orifice being of greater diameter than its part farther removed from the said orifice. a tubular nipple fixed in the smaller part oil? the said hole and extended into the outer part of the said hole but only part of the way to the orifice oi the said hole and a tubular couplin sleeve extended into the outer part of the said hole and over and engaging the said nipple.

An air coupling having two opposed members movable one to the other; tubular coupling sleeves fixed with and extended outwardly from one of the said members toward the other said member; coupling elements combined with the other said member and opposite to and engaging the said coupling sleeves; and guide pins fixed with one of the said members and extended toward the other said member, and guide holes opposite to the said pins and in the member not having the pins.

An air coupling having two opposed members movable one to the other; tubular coupling sleeves fixed with and extended outwardly from one of the said members toward the other said. member; coupling elements combined with theiot'her said member and opposite to and engaging, the said cou pling sleeves; and guide. pins fixed with the said member having the extended coupling sleeves and the saidpins extended toward the opposite; member, and guideholes in the said opposite member, the said guide holes being opposite tothe said guide pins.

let. An air coupling having two opposed members movable one to the other; tubular coupling sleeves fixed with and extended outwardly from one of the said members toward the other said member; coupling ele ments combined with. the other saidinember and opposite to. and engaging the said. coupling. sleeves; and uide pins fixed. with the. said member having the extended coupling sleeves. and the said pins; extended toward the. opposite, member, to a greater distance than the distance of the extension ofthe said coupling sleeves, and guide holes in the said opposite member, the said. guide holes being opposite to the saidguide pins.

15. An air coupling having two opposed members movable one to the other; a row of coupling sleeves fixed with and extended outwardly from one of. the said members toward the other said member; coupling elements, in a row in the other said member, and each said coupling element, opposite to the opposed said coupling sleeve; and guide;

pins adjacent, to the said couplings and at several positions along the said rows of couplings.

16. A fixed coupling: member; a movable coupling member immediately opposite the said fixed coupling member; a plurality of opposed coupling elements in the two said members and adapted to be all coupled together at one movement of the said movable member; guide means extended from one said member to the other said member; guide means at. the side of the movable member that is opposite to the said fixed member; and a fixed means engaging the last stated guide means.

17. A fixed coupling member; a movable coupling member immediately opposite the said fixed coupling member; a plurality of opposed coupling elements in the two said members and adapted to be all coupled together at one movement of the said movable member; guide means extended from one said member to the other said member; guide means at the side of the movable member that is opposite to the said fixed member; and a fixed means engaging the last stated guide means; the last stated guide means and fixed position means guidably engaged at all times, and the first stated guide means separable from one of the said members when the two said members are drawn apart and their couplings uncoupled.

18. Two opposed coupling members having opposed coupling. elements and one of the said two members movableto and from the other said member; guide means in one said member adapted to engage guide means in the other said member when the two said members are in close position and coupled, the said two guide means free of engagement with each other when the two said members are in a separate and uncoupled position; and additional guide means to guide the said movableniember to correct position relative to the other said member. when the said movable member is drawn away from the other said member and the guide means between the two said members are disengaged.

19. Two opposed coupling members. having. opposed coupling elements and. one. of. the said two members movable. to and from the other said member; guide means in one said member engaging guide means in the other said member when the two said members are in close, position and coupled, the said two guide means free of engagement with each other when the two said members are in a separate and uncoupled position; and additional guide means to guide the said movable member to correct position relative to the other said member when the said movable member is drawn away from the other said member and the guide means between the two said members are disengaged, and the said additional guide means allowing a second motion of the two said members when they said two members arev coupled, and second motion being at a right angle to the direction of the'coupling movement of the two said members.

20. A set of manual keys and a keyframe therewith movable in direction of the succession of the said keys; a keyframe coupling railmovable with the said keyframe; a movable coupling rail disposed parallel with and immediately below the keyframe coupling rail and movable to and from the keyframe coupling rail; coupling elements in both said rails and opposite to each other; guide means extended from one said rail to the other said rail and disengaged when the two said rails are separated and uncoupled; and additional guide means to guide the said movable member to correct position relative to the other said member when the said movable member is drawn away from the other said member and the guide means between the two said members are disengaged.

21. Manual keys, and musical devices therewith; a keybed on which the said keys are mounted; pneumatic means below the said keys and keybed and adapted to actuatethe said musical devices; pneumatic controlling devices above the said keys, and tubular connections therefrom to the said pneumatic means below the keys; separable coupling means to all the said tubular connections, the said coupling means positioned below the said keys and having two members one member of the said coupling means movable relatively to and from the other member; and a movable handle above the said keybed, and connections from the said handle to the said movable member of the coupling means below the keys.

2-2. Manual keys, and musical devices therewith; a keybed on which the said keys are mounted; pneumatic means below the said keys and keybed and adapted to actuate the said musical devices; pneumatic controlling devices above the said keys, and tubular connections therefrom to the said pneumatic means below the keys; separable coupling means to all the said tubular connections, the said coupling means positioned below the said keys and having twomembers, one member of the said coupling means movable relatively to and from the other member; and a movable handle above the said keybed, and connections from the said handle to the said movable member of the coupling means below the keys; and a stop to hold said handle when the said coupling means are coupled.

23. Manual keys, and musical devices therewith; a keybed on which the said keys are mounted; pneumatic means below the said keys and keybed and adapted to actuate the said musical devices; pneumatic controlling devices above the said keys, and tubular connections therefrom to the said pneumatic means below the keys; separable coupling means to all the said tubular connections, the said coupling means positioned below the said keys and having two members, one member of the said coupling means movable relatively to and from the other member; and a movable handle above the said keybed, and connections from the said handle to the said movable member of the coupling means below the keys; and a stop to hold said handle when the said coupling means are uncoupled.

24. Manual keys, and musical devices therewith; a keybed on which the said keys are mounted; pneumatic means below the said keys and keybed and adapted to actuate the said musical devices; pneumatic controlling devices above the said keys, and tubular connections therefrom to the said pneumatic means below the keys; a separable coupling means to all the said tubular connections, the said coupling means positioned below the said keys and having two members, one member of the said coupling means movable relatively to and from the other member; and a movable handle above the said keybed, and connection from the said handle to the said movable member of the coupling means below the keys; and a single step to hold the said handle to its position when the coupling means are coupled and to the other position of the said iandle when the coupling means are uncoupled.

25. Manual keys and a key frame, and a keybed on which the said keys and keyframe are mounted; a coupling rail lengthwise of and with the keyframe; a movable coupling rail immediately below the keyt'rame coupling rail; a rock shaft mounted on the under face of the said keybed, arms attached to the said rock shaft and extended tron: the said rock shaft horizontally toward the said movable coupling rail; and means engaging the extended part of each said arm to the said movable couplin rail.

ROBT. A. GAL JY.

Witnesses PAUL J. Hnneen, Jon BEYER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G." 

